News for Israel

Safety experts from around the globe have issued warnings time and again that drowning is most often silent.

Smartphones make connecting and communicating with other people much easier. Whether it is social media, email or gaming, more and more people are attached to their phones at all times. However, it has recently been shown that cellphone usage by parents during their children’s swim time has resulted in an alarming number of deaths by drowning.

Last year, the German Lifeguarding Association published findings that drew a direct link between children dying in the water and parents cellphone usage at the time of death. For years, lifeguards have warned parents that using a phone while children are swimming causes the parent to lose focus on the child, and in many cases of children drowning this was one of the causes.
Safety experts from around the globe have issued warnings time and again that drowning is most often silent. There are many examples of children who drowned in packed pools without anyone noticing. Sometimes, these incidents even happen at home in an inflatable pool with just a few centimeters of water, or even in a washing bucket.

Authorities around the world are now explicitly warning people against using their smartphones whenever a child is near water, whether that be the bathtub, an inflatable pool, while washing the floor, and of course, when the family is at the beach or poolside.

Israel has had its fair share of drowning incidents in which parents were using cellphones instead of watching their children. These instances and the resulting deaths were preventable and tragic. Over the past year-and-a-half, United Hatzalah volunteers have responded to 738 drowning or near-drowning incidents with almost half of these involving children.

As a first responder, I can attest that there is no worse emergency call to respond to than the preventable death of a young child. Nothing is worse than that. Those are the calls that leave even the toughest first responders with nightmares.

Once a person begins to drown, it is incredibly difficult to save them. Even if they are revived, there is often serious brain damage due to prolonged lack of oxygen. This is often more severe in children than in adults. It is incredibly difficult to turn back the clock once a child begins to drown. Therefore, as the founder and president of an emergency first response organization, I urge everyone to shut off their phones when taking children to a pool, beach, or even while playing in an inflatable pool on the balcony. The risks far outweigh the momentary indulgence of using one’s phone.

In a recent interview with the Walla news site, Prof. Yehezkel Weisman, who heads the emergency room at Schneider’s Children’s Hospital, said, “The best treatment for a drowning victim is prevention.”

Water is something that we all enjoy, especially in summertime. However, as much as we enjoy it, water brings with it a host of dangers, the worst of which occur when children who are not receiving the amount of supervision that they need drown. Small children need to be watched every moment when they are near water. In order to do that, parents must turn off their phones.

The writer is a social entrepreneur and the president and founder of United Hatzalah of Israel, an independent, non-profit, fully volunteer organization that provides fast and free emergency first response throughout Israel.

Highlights: The findings support a case for classifying RFR as a human carcinogen.
Carcinogenicity of radio frequency radiation (RFR) was examined.
The focus was on hemolymphatic cancers in the occupational and military settings.
Unusually high proportion of hemolymphatic cancers was found in a case series.
Similar unusually high proportions were reported in three previous cohort studies -

Abstract

Background and aim

We reexamine whether radio frequency radiation (RFR) in the occupational and military settings is a human carcinogen.
Methods

We extended an analysis of an already-reported case series of patients with cancer previously exposed to whole-body prolonged RFR, mainly from communication equipment and radar. We focused on hematolymphatic (HL) cancers. We used analysis by percentage frequency (PF) of a cancer type, which is the proportion of a specific cancer type relative to the total number of cancer cases. We also examined and analyzed the published data on three other cohort studies from similar military settings from different countries.
Results

The PF of HL cancers in the case series was very high, at 40% with only 23% expected for the series age and gender profile, confidence interval CI95%: 26–56%, p<0.01, 19 out of 47 patients had HL cancers. We also found high PF for multiple primaries. As for the three other cohort studies: In the Polish military sector, the PF of HL cancers was 36% in the exposed population as compared to 12% in the unexposed population, p<0.001. In a small group of employees exposed to RFR in Israeli defense industry, the PF of HL cancers was 60% versus 17% expected for the group age and gender profile, p<0.05. In Belgian radar battalions the HL PF was 8.3% versus 1.4% in the control battalions as shown in a causes of deaths study and HL cancer mortality rate ratio was 7.2 and statistically significant. Similar findings were reported on radio amateurs and Korean war technicians. Elevated risk ratios were previously reported in most of the above studies.
Conclusions

The consistent association of RFR and highly elevated HL cancer risk in the four groups spread over three countries, operating different RFR equipment types and analyzed by different research protocols, suggests a cause-effect relationship between RFR and HL cancers in military/occupational settings. While complete measurements of RFR exposures were not available and rough exposure assessments from patients interviews and from partial exposure data were used instead, we have demonstrated increased HL cancers in occupational groups with relatively high RFR exposures. Our findings, combined with other studies, indicate that exposures incurred in the military settings evaluated here significantly increased the risk of HL cancers. Accordingly, the RFR military exposures in these occupations should be substantially reduced and further efforts should be undertaken to monitor and measure those exposures and to follow cohorts exposed to RFR for cancers and other health effects. Overall, the epidemiological studies on excess risk for HL and other cancers together with brain tumors in cellphone users and experimental studies on RFR and carcinogenicity make a coherent case for a cause-effect relationship and classifying RFR exposure as a human carcinogen (IARC group 1).

In the first systematic review and meta-analysis of trends in sperm count, researchers from the Hebrew University-Hadassah Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai report a significant decline in sperm concentration and total sperm count among men from Western countries. The study [under embargo until July 25 at 1 pm EDT] is published today in Human Reproduction Update, the leading journal in the fields of Reproductive Biology and Obstetrics & Gynecology.

By screening 7,500 studies and conducting a meta-regression analysis on 185 studies between 1973 and 2011, the researchers found a 52.4 percent decline in sperm concentration, and a 59.3 percent decline in total sperm count, among men from North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand who were not selected based on their fertility status. In contrast, no significant decline was seen in South America, Asia and Africa, where far fewer studies have been conducted.

The study also indicates the rate of decline among Western men is not decreasing: the slope was steep and significant even when analysis was restricted to studies with sample collection between 1996 and 2011.

The research was led by Dr. Hagai Levine, Head of the Environmental Health Track at the Hebrew University-Hadassah Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Jerusalem, with Dr. Shanna H Swan, Professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, and an international team of researchers from Brazil, Denmark, Israel, Spain and the United States.

While declines in sperm count have been reported since 1992, the question has remained controversial because of limitations in past studies. However, the current study uses a broader scope and rigorous meta-regression methods, conservatively addresses the reliability of study estimates, and controls for factors that might help explain the decline such as age, abstinence time, and selection of the study population.

"Given the importance of sperm counts for male fertility and human health, this study is an urgent wake-up call for researchers and health authorities around the world to investigate the causes of the sharp ongoing drop in sperm count, with the goal of prevention," said Dr. Hagai Levine, the lead author and Head of the Environmental Health Track at the Hebrew University-Hadassah Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Faculty of Medicine.

The findings have important public health implications. First, these data demonstrate that the proportion of men with sperm counts below the threshold for subfertility or infertility is increasing. Moreover, given the findings from recent studies that reduced sperm count is related to increased morbidity and mortality, the ongoing decline points to serious risks to male fertility and health.

"Decreasing sperm count has been of great concern since it was first reported twenty-five years ago. This definitive study shows, for the first time, that this decline is strong and continuing. The fact that the decline is seen in Western countries strongly suggests that chemicals in commerce are playing a causal role in this trend," Dr. Shanna H Swan, a professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York.

While the current study did not examine causes of the observed declines, sperm count has previously been plausibly associated with environmental and lifestyle influences, including prenatal chemical exposure, adult pesticide exposure, smoking, stress and obesity. Therefore, sperm count may sensitively reflect the impact of the modern environment on male health across the lifespan and serve as a "canary in the coal mine" signaling broader risks to male health.

1) Who of the WHO RF core group called "the shrill cry" to end epidemiological studies of breast cancer risks from power-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMFs)?

2) Who of the core group declared to SCENIHR on research funded by Telecom Italia and CTIA?

3) Who of the assisting experts included in CEFALO study a very long questionnaire, including questions about contact with sheep, goats, reptiles and snakes, 38 questions about exposure to cigarette smoke. Then replied to an investigative Swedish journalist, that investigating more than the 3 first years use of cordless phone exposure would demand too much resources?

4) Who of the assisting experts declared to SCENIHR he has shares in the mobile British industry?

5) Who of the core group was critisized by Prof Roger Santini for leading a formal French report in 2001, that systematically critisized studies that found biological effects but never critisized negative studies? "For them, false negative does not exist only false positive", Santini wrote.

Few weeks back I got a new Car DVD/GPS unit for my small Fiat Panda.
I am an EHS person and the car was already tested and found to be low EMF car.
In addition I have installed RF protection film over the windows to block the RF coming from cellphone towers along the side of the road.
2 weeks ago I installed the new system in my car and was amazed that the system emitted RF radiation even after the WIFI was turned OFF and the Bluetooth was not operating.

*SNIP* read the article and watch the video via the source link below...

Scientists from 10 nations evaluated the latest peer reviewed body of evidence linking adverse health effects to wireless radiation at an expert forum that was held in late January at Hebrew University. The scientists call for policy actions to reduce exposure were recommended, such as legislation that significantly and more protectively reduces human exposure to RF, minimization of wireless in schools and public places, and national campaigns about screen time and children’s health.

Experts call for strong policy action to protect the public and especially children who are more vulnerable.

The event was organized in cooperation with the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and Environmental Health Trust (EHT). Findings included the large $25 million study by the US National Toxicology Program, and other investigations confirming cancer-promoting effects, along with substantially increased cancer risks to regular long-term cell phone users, and important new studies indicating potential human health risks of 5G communication systems, wireless in schools, and the physical and psychological effects of screen time

According to Dr. Anthony Miller— long-term advisor at the World Health Organization’s IARC, and advisor to Environmental Health Trust detailed the current epidemiological research on long-term cell phone users stated that his overall conclusions are that in terms of the 2011 IARC classification, today Radiofrequency fields should be considered probable causes of human cancer. Lecture videos are now available at the Environmental Health Trust conference website.

Evidence of Increased Malignancies and DNA Damage

Dr. Linda Birnbaum, Director of the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, prepared a presentation shared by Dr. Ron Melnick on the National Toxicology Program (NTP) study’s research findings on rats exposed to wireless radiation at levels mimicking long- term cell phone exposures. Findings include: increased highly malignant cancers of the brain; increased highly malignant cancer of the heart nerve sheath; and DNA damage in the brain. In addition to increased malignancies and DNA damage, lower litter weights were found in the wireless exposed rats of the NTP study.

“We feel obliged to call for strong actions of precaution by international regulators, above all for children and pregnant women,” stated Dr. Fiorella Belpoggi, Director of the Research Department of the Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Centre Ramazzini Institute.

At the Dr. Fiorella Belpoggi of the Italian Ramazzini Institute released new partial findings of their cell phone radiation studies, which found, like the NTP study, lower birth weight in rats prenatally exposed to cell phone radiation. The Ramazzini study radiation exposures were orders of magnitude lower density of Radiofrequency (RF) fields than the NTP study exposures and were set to mimic cell tower radiation exposure levels.

The meeting was co-chaired by Devra Davis, PhD, MPH, visiting Professor of Medicine of The Hebrew University, who provided an update on research findings that link wireless radiation to brain, liver and skin damage in prenatally exposed animals, and Professor Emeritus of Medicine, physician-researcher Charles Greenblatt, an acclaimed basic researcher and discoverer of ancient DNA.

Are wireless networks hazardous to students’ health? The data is not clear, with studies indicating that exposure to the radio waves that allow for unwired connectivity have either no effect on people, or can be a link in the formation of numerous diseases such as cancer. Until a convincing argument on either side of the issue is presented, the Haifa Municipality is removing wireless connectivity from its schools.

The roots of the decision go back to a 2013 petition by parents in four schools who claim that such networks are harmful. The case eventually made its way to the High Court, which has postponed a final decision on the matter. But due to public pressure that has occasionally erupted into protests, the city has decided to suspend wireless connectivity for the time being.

The movement has spread from Haifa to other cities as well, and petitions have been signed by parents in dozens of cities demanding the removal of the networks. Haifa is the first city to take action on the matter.

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav said that the city would replace the wireless network with a wired connection that will provide safer options to students.

Wi-Fi health advocates were exultant today at news that an Israeli TV documentary titled “How We are Killing Ourselves—Wireless Radiation” won a high rating and Haifi ordered Wi-Fi removed from all schools.

The 30-minute documentary about the “epidemic of Electro-Sensitivity” (ES) aired at 9 p.m. April 12 and “received the highest rating of the day,” according to Dafna Tachover, an attorney with offices in Israel and New York.

Tachover said the director planned to do 10 minutes on ES as part of a film about the diseases of the 21st century but after working with health advocates “understood the extent of the problem and the lie and how important it is to give an uncompromising warning to the public.” It was then decided to do 30 minutes mainly on ES and Wi-Fi in schools.

Said Tachover: “The host was a leading TV media person and his tone was uncompromising - no maybes, precautionary etc., the tone was - there is an epidemic out there. Wireless harms and it is time for us to wake up as it is late already. He started by saying that at least 800,000 people in Israel, i.e. 10% of the population already suffer from different levels of ES and twice aired parts of my interview in which I was saying that the rates are already higher and will continue to increase.”

Two government "experts" admitted on the show that the thermal safety standard is irrelevant which is not what they told the Supreme Court, wrote Tachover.

TV Show Created "Buzz"

“Most importantly,” she wrote, “the movie created a lot of buzz and sent a very alarming message that radiation harms are not potential but existing, and in an epidemic scale.”

Israelis participating in the show included Amir Borenstein, Yael Levin and her daughter Noa who told what it is like to be electro-sensitive. Parents who fight Wi-Fi in the school were also interviewed. Tachover was interviewed as an expert and activist and on the medical side were Prof. Richter and Dr. Yael Stein. The technical side was presented by engineer Liran Raz of the U.S. Mentioned was Jenny Fry, the 15-year-old U.K. student who committed suicide because of Wi-Fi in her school.

Tachover said Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav announced the city, third largest in Israel, is immediately removing Wi-Fi from its schools, saying "When there is a doubt, when it comes to our children, there is no doubt.”

Said Tachover: “Electro-Sensitivity is an epidemic and not three percent of the population. We are now in the double digits in terms of ES. The public must be told. Wi-Fi in schools is a disaster and as a person who spends two to four hours every day on the phone with people and children who got sick, with many contemplate committing suicide, I urge you all to be uncompromising. The truth, and all of it must be told. Continued good luck to us all and thanks to anyone out there who stands up to evil and stupidity.”

The mayor of Haifa (in Israel) ordered to disconnect WiFi in schools and kindergartens – until examining the safety of WiFi thoroughly.

Haifa's mayor, Yona Yahav, ordered in coordination with the head of education department, Ilana Truck, to immediately disconnect WiFi in educational system until a thorough examination of the subject.
At the same time, Yahav guided to advance the installation of wired safer system.

Yahav: "The education system in Haifa is full of network computers and new, advanced technological systems. However, regarding anything that relates to our children, if there is doubt- there is no doubt. We must take excessive precaution.
As long as the argument on real danger was not refuted, I ordered to disconnect all the devices in kindergartens and in schools. In order not to prevent advanced technology from the children, we will act to activate safe wired system.

In recent years, the internet media has become part of our daily lives. The use of cell phones, smart phones and computers is gaining momentum among a wide range of ages, where children is an especially sensitive population to environmental effects among them exposure to electromagnetic radiation (non-ionizing radiation).

Since the publication of the State Comptroller report in December 2014 on the subject handling electromagnetic radiation in the education systems by local authorities and "private owners", all relevant bodies were recruited to measure radiation in all schools
in the country Haifa municipality states, that "the education system has advanced computers system of the highest level. They are under control and stand in annual measurements and until today the results were lower than the demand of the existing standard In view of this, and as long as it was not proven that WiFi radiation is dangerous, a discussion has started in the municipality to take precaution and receive answers from the governmental ministries.

Haifa municipality is organizing a conference for the next month, on radiation from cell phones and smart phones, in order to give knowledge to the public on wireless emitting technologies and their effects. The conference will deal with creating a policy for educated use of cell phones in the education system in Haifa. Part of the conference will be dedicated to radiation from Wi-Fi. This week, in coordination with the head of the city's education system, Ilana Truck, Yahav ordered to disconnect immediately the WiFi in kindergartens and schools in Haifa until a thorough examination of the subject is done. These days the education system is preparing to gradually install wired system as an alternative in all education system in the city.
These will be installed in the first stage in classrooms where pupils learn for the final exams that force use of computers, so they won't be harmed from the disconnect. The teachers in elementary schools in the city took on themselves to load every evening
the studies material from the internet, so that pupils are not exposed and their studies won't be harmed. Dr. Mona Nofi-Naama, head of non ionizing radiation issue, in the Cities Association Haifa Bay for environmental protection: "According to the precautionary principle, it is needed to reduce the exposure to non ionizing radiation as much as possible, among the rest also WiFi, by reducing the use of wireless networks and to prefer in every opportunity wired connection rather than wireless.

The standards relate to thermal effect only, while here the subject is health effects that do not relate to heating that are in low levels below the standard, but were not defined.